The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-06-10
BISHOP TAYLOR.
How the Congo Missionary was Re.
served by Central African King.

lCOnbO Letter.I
Malange, the easternmost station yet plant
ted by Bishop Taylor in the original line
across Central Africa, is on the very borders
of the Portuguese possessions. 1t is seldom
visited by Europeans. The way to it from
Pungo Andongo is across wild country,
greatly diversified by hills and woodlands,
but not particularly mountainous. 1t is
situated on the right bank of small stream
that is supposed to flow into the Coanza
River, but just where nobody knows, as it is
not nayigable. and no one has yet followed it
down to the end. The Bishop had tramped
for two days through this wilderness without
adventure of serious nature. About o'clock
in the morning of the third day he was met
by two natives bearing spears. They stopped
the party for moment and conyersed with
the carriers in the African tongue. Then
they set off in advance of the party at high
rate of speed. The Bishop saw that this
maneuyre meant something out of the usual
course, and made inquiries of his carriers.
"These men," one of the curriers' replied
''are from the town Mambalungo, which we
shall presently come to. 1t is the chief town
of tribe that inhabits this region. One of
the heighboring tribes has recently declared
war upon it, and the people Of Mambalungo
are expecting battle any day. The men we
met were pickets sent to warn the king of
the approach of hostile party.
"They will not report us as hostile, will
they?" asked the Bishop.
"Oh, no. The good white man has been
heard of here. and the people of Mamba-
llngo will take his visit most kindly. The
pickets have gone back to apprise the king
of your approach, and you will be met on
entering the town with ceremony"
The natives of the interior had learned Of
Bishop Taylor in two ways. First, DR.. Sum-
mers had short time before travelled
through the country looking for places to
plant stations, and had informed the people
of his object and something about those who
were to follow him. And second, while the
Bishop was digging his well at Nhanguepep-
po and tearing up the ground for cultivation
many natives were trayersing the country
from town to town intent on trade, and the
news had been greatly magnified by them.
The result. was that when the Bishop ar
rived at the borders of Mambalungo he
found the greater part Of the population
drawn up to receive him. The town was not
large one in area. for the houses were
grouped together at the top. Of hill: The
farm lands, crudely cultivated by the inhab-
itants, lay below in the surrounding coun-
try. 1t was really delightful spot, for the
elevated situation gave the breezes every
opportunity to circulate, and from the min
| be overlooked. Mountains were near
| enough in the distance to appear impressive,
| and the vegetation had all the luxurious
| freshness of the tropical cline. The en-
| frances to the town at the top Of the hill had
| been barricaded and rude Notifications
thrown up on all sides. The ascent was not
| steep enough to make the situation impreg-
nable from a military point OF view, but II
| was sufficiently safe to make the in
| habitants feel at ease with respect to the
attacks of tribes like themselves.
| The Bishop was received at the first barri-
cade with marks OF deep respect, and one
man, who seemed to be in authority, made
him an incomprehensible address. Then he
was conducted to hut about quarter way
| down the main street Of the town and in
stalled there. He would willingly have con-
| tinued his journey, but he saw that 1t would
| be useless to attempt it. His carriers ex-
| planned that the man who had met them was
| the Chief Lieutenant OF the King, and thai
| he had hidden the stranger welcome. He
had also said that the King would come tc
see him. So the Bishop saw that he would
| have to wait.
In about half an hour the King came. He
was attended by body guard of 100 soldier:
armed for combat. Meantime other soldier:
| stood at all the barricades prepared to resis
an unexpected attack. Beyond the arminl
of the warriors and the preparations Of the
defences, the inhabitants seemed to take nj
thought about the war. They l0afed abou
in characteristic African fashion and collect
| ed in a crowd before the hut where the Kinl
had gone to meet the Bishop. The introduc
tion was unceremOni0us because the two
men could not speak a common language
The Bishop relieved the situation Of an,
awkwardness by stepping forward quickly
and extending his hand to royalty, saying a
he did so:
81 am glad to meet you"
| The King received the proffered hand witt
dignity, and when the Bishops words ha,
been translated to him he responded:
II have heard of the old white man, well
digger, long walker, who. speaks IN kin
words. What would the old white man d
in Mambalungo?"
ito Malange, where friends will follow m
and stay"
You are welcome to Mambalungo," cor
tinued the King. ''Why not stay here wit
us rather than journey on to MalangeT
my friends, who will follow me. will Wis
you. You are now at war; when there
peace again you may see much OF us.
The answer was not well understood D
the African, but he made no objection. In
moment he continued:
Tell me what it is that the old wnlte MAJ
well digger, long walker, and his irieno
| would do in this land?"
"We come to live among you to bring yo
peace and to tell you of many good Things.
Conversation Of this kind was continue
for time, the King showing some intere
, as well as some knowledge Of misslonarie
There have been missionaries IN AirlC
whose conduct with the natives has led the
to be suspicious. 1t may be that the mi
slonarles referred to were not what they pr
1 tended to be; at all events they were shal
traders, and having made fortune out
the. credulity of the natives, went avn
again. The King was impressed deeply wi
the idea that the Bishop and his friends ni
/, come to stay and to work for themselves u
on the soil, instead of trading. As he talk